MacNair: Benefits of Worker Friendly program shared

Posted: Wednesday, September 15, 2010

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On Monday, editorial page editor Jim Thompson highlighted the Worker Friendly program of the Economic Justice Coalition (Editor's Desk, "Just Economics"). The goal of this program is to turn consumers and workers toward employers who are friendly to workers in their wages and benefits. It is the best way employers can show respect to their workers and promote a healthier community.

The seven employers that have been identified so far represent a variety of business entities: The Athens-Clarke government, the Family Connections agency, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, Power Partners, Five Points Eye Care, MedLink Georgia in Colbert and mPrintDesign Studio.

Employers are invited to visit www.workerfriendly.org, and consider filling out the form online. If the employer does not qualify, its information is confidential. If it does qualify, it is asked for permission to be listed on the website.

The goal is to engage and approve more than 30 employers in the Athens area, just as 150 have been approved in a similar program in Asheville, N.C., known as Just Economics. We need to see the vision of solid employment and healthy families emerging in this area with the spread of this program across employers of all kinds. Everyone benefits; It's a win-win situation.